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JonBenét Ramsey Murder
Six-year-old pageant queen JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered in her family's basement on December 26, 1996. A ransom note was left, but she was already dead in the house. Despite decades of investigation and DNA evidence, the killer has never been identified. America's most infamous cold case.
1996
Boulder, Colorado, USA
3+ witnesses
The child beauty queen murder that captivated America.
The Victim
JonBenét Ramsey:
- 6 years old
- Child pageant queen
- Boulder, Colorado
- Wealthy family
- December 26, 1996
The Discovery
What happened:
- Ransom note found
- $118,000 demanded
- Body found in basement
- By father John Ramsey
- Hours later
The Evidence
What was found:
- Garrote used
- Skull fracture
- DNA on clothing
- Unknown male profile
- Ransom note bizarre
The Suspects
Who was investigated:
- Parents John and Patsy
- Brother Burke
- Intruder theory
- Various persons of interest
- No charges ever filed
The Grand Jury
1999 decision:
- Voted to indict parents
- DA refused to sign
- Kept secret until 2013
- Child abuse charges
- Never prosecuted
The Mystery
Still unsolved:
- DNA doesn’t match family
- Ransom note analyzed
- Multiple theories
- No arrest ever made
- Case remains open